Kids, Cubs, and Oh-So-Sweet Sunsets

The AOPA Pilot 2007 General Aviation Photography Contest is now open. Click here for complete rules, a list of cash awards, and to enter your photographs.

The photographs came in all shapes and sizes, black and white and color. Most were delivered electronically, magically appearing on the computer screen; others came in big packages via the U.S. Postal Service and were carefully framed on poster board. Some were expertly composed; others were snapshots.

But all the entries in the AOPA Pilot 2006 General Aviation Photography Contest had one thing in common: They captured for one general aviation pilot on one particular day the essence of why we fly.

Among the thousands of entries received this year, more than a couple of themes emerged.

It is clear, for example, based on entries as well as votes, that many of our members dream of flying floatplanes in Alaska. We received numerous "floatplanes at sunset/sunrise" shots that were so appealing and evocative that they made more than one staff member think about chucking the editor job for the floatplane flying life.

The idyllic image of this year's Grand Award winner (see viewer, top right) is a case in point. The photo was taken by Brian Dary, a commercial pilot who lived the dream for nine years. His photograph of a de Havilland DH-2 Beaver on floats at the Juneau float pond next to Juneau International Airport was an overwhelming member and staff favorite. It garnered the top honors — including a cash prize of $1,750 — in this year's contest. Cash prizes this year include $250 for third place, $500 for second place, and $750 for first place in each of five categories; the Grand Award winner receiving an additional $1,000.

Other subjects that were obvious favorites? Our future pilots — babies as well as young kids of all sizes and ages — was a consistent theme. Many photos showed a young child at the yoke of an airplane, others showed children watching others fly airplanes, and some were just photos of, well, kids being kids around airplanes.

It would be a grave omission not to mention the numerous images we received of four-legged fliers. We've got your dog in flying goggles, your dog sporting headsets, and even your dog soloing a Piper Cub (our design director is still trying to figure out whether that photo was "enhanced").

Thanks to all who entered, voted, enjoyed, or otherwise participated. Next year's contest opens at 12:01 a.m. on January 1 online.

Until then, the slideshow presents the best of the best, as selected by you, the members, and the staff of AOPA Pilot.

E-mail the author at [email protected].